PREDICTION OF WAVE REFLECTION FROM ROCK STRUCTURES: AN INTEGRATION OF FIELD & LABORATORY DATA

Mark A. Davidson, Paul A.D. Bird, David A. Huntley, Geoff N. Bullock

Abstract

An empirical predictive scheme for wave reflection from rock island breakwaters is derived from a multiple regression analysis of a large data set (780 data points) which includes both laboratory and full-scale measurements. The large parameter space embraced due to the inclusion of both laboratory and field data leads to a robust solution for the prediction of wave reflection. The resulting equation expresses the reflection coefficient as a function of a number of dimensionless parameters which can be identified with specific physical processes. These include wave breaking, dissipation due friction and turbulence induced by structural roughness, and transmission into and through the breakwater .